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The association between otitis media in early childhood with later behaviour and attention problems: A longitudinal

Ali A H Altamimi1, Monique Robinson2, Elizabeth J McKinnon2

  • 1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Faculty of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|April 12, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Early recurrent otitis media (OM) is linked to behavioral and attention issues in children. These problems, including internalizing and externalizing behaviors, can persist into adolescence.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Recurrent otitis media (OM) is a common childhood condition.
  • The long-term impact of early OM on neurodevelopmental outcomes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between early recurrent otitis media (OM), with or without ventilation tube insertion (VTI), and subsequent behavioral problems.
  • To assess behavioral and attention outcomes in children with a history of recurrent OM through adolescence.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal pregnancy cohort study classified children into three groups: recurrent OM without VTI, recurrent OM with VTI, and a reference group.
  • Parental reports using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) were collected at ages 5, 8, 10, and 13.
  • Mixed-effects regression modeling analyzed associations between OM history and CBCL scores, controlling for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Children with a history of recurrent OM without VTI (rOM group) showed significantly higher internalizing, externalizing, and attention problem scores across multiple ages.
  • A transient increase in internalizing behaviors was noted in the VTI group at ages 8 and 10.
  • The rOM group had a higher likelihood of clinical abnormality in internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life recurrent OM, whether treated with VTI or not, is associated with increased behavioral and attention problems.
  • These neurodevelopmental impacts can manifest in early and late childhood, persisting into early adolescence.
  • Recurrent OM significantly affects children's behavior and attention, underscoring the need for early intervention.
Abstract

Keywords:
AttentionBehavioural developmentOtitis mediaVentilation tube insertion

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